Cannes Film Festival begins with film debuts and honorary Palme d'Ors
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 10
Cannes Film Festival begins with film debuts and honorary Palme d'Ors
10 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 10
The 12-day event opens Tuesday on the Cote d'Azur, with South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook presiding over the jury and Peter Jackson honoured at the opening ceremony.
Barbra Streisand will receive a second honorary Palme later in the festival, while anticipated premieres include films by James Gray, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Pedro Almodovar and Ryusuke Hamaguchi.
Although Hollywood studios are largely on the sidelines, Cannes remains a major launchpad for awards contenders, with past festival titles including best picture winners "Parasite" and "Anora".
With a Korean jury president, will one of Asia's four competing directors take home the prestigious Palme d'Or?
Amidst sci-fi thrillers and auteur dramas, which anticipated film will ultimately triumph at Cannes?
Is Soderbergh's AI-powered Lennon film a cinematic breakthrough or just a controversial high-tech gimmick?
Cannes 2026 by the Numbers: Auteur Cinema, Hollywood’s Decline, and the Next Wave of Film Culture
Overview
The 79th Cannes Film Festival will open on May 12, 2026, with Pierre Salvadori’s film THE ELECTRIC KISS screened out of competition. A key rule, established by Festival Director Thierry Frémaux about 15 years ago, requires the opening film to premiere in hundreds of French theaters on the same day as the ceremony. This regulation aims to give films strong commercial momentum and reflects Cannes’ belief that cinema should be experienced in theaters. The festival’s approach highlights its commitment to both cinematic tradition and broad audience engagement, setting the stage for a vibrant celebration of global film.